Burwell on Kroenke

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<a class="postlink" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bryan-burwell/burwell-kroenke-plotting-changes-for-rams/article_7985e0da-02f2-5ff0-9a2c-83d4a2db022a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/ ... b022a.html</a>

[wrapimg=left]http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/42/34279a50-048b-5132-8820-f2d4fc089bf8/4e7817fce011a.preview-300.jpg[/wrapimg]SAN FRANCISCO • By now the details are no longer very important. Let's just say that Sunday in Candlestick Park for the Rams was just like any other NFL Sunday — another bad loss in another lost season that makes every game day feel like a regurgitated Groundhog's Day nightmare for this really bad football team.

By the end of this 26-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the 2-10 Rams were doing what they always do, marching glumly off the field while another team celebrated. The Niners were prancing around Candlestick doing all sorts of silly dances and waving and blowing kisses to their giddy fans after clinching the NFC West title. And while the Niners partied, the Rams were forced to ponder their increasingly sorry state, which appears to be getting more hopeless as the weeks go by.

This may have been the worst loss of all, because the Rams had absolutely no chance of ever winning this game. Seriously. No chance at all. Not when your injury-plagued, patchwork offense is physically incapable of scoring. I'm not trying to be flippant, either. The Rams' offense is now averaging less than a touchdown per game, which should not be possible in professional football. But on Sunday, the Rams' offense had one offensive possession (out of 12) all game that was over five plays and never came within 37 yards of the end zone all day long.

Oops, I said I wouldn't bore you with details.

At this point in this franchise's unsteady history, the only thing that any of you really want to know is when and how this bad football will ever end. There's only one man who can provide those answers and his name is Stan Kroenke, the majority owner, who is not exactly reclusive but does not particularly regard public attention as essential as air or water.

While it's popular to characterize Kroenke as some indifferent absentee owner, nothing could be further from the truth. As I've told you before, he's almost always around on game days but usually slips out some back door in the locker room before reporters can get close. But Sunday, Kroenke decided not to make a hasty exit. Instead, he lingered in the cramped visitors' locker room, slowly navigating his way over and around half-filled equipment bags, discarded balls of tape, helmets and shoulder pads. The man who hasn't said very much publicly about the state of his woeful football team quietly moved from locker stall to locker stall, shaking hands and whispering in the ears of his dispirited employees.

With some players, it was nothing more than a firm handshake and a quick word. With others, Kroenke lingered a bit longer, placing a hand on a shoulder, maybe holding on to a forearm, too. But each time, he looked them all square in their eyes and spoke to nearly every player in the room.

"I just wanted them to know that I appreciated their efforts," Kroenke would say a few minutes later as he stood in a narrow hallway just outside the locker room. "I know they don't count that in the NFL, but I wanted to make sure the players knew I do appreciate their effort."

And that was pretty much it. He chatted politely for a few more minutes before making a retreat into the parking lot where a car was waiting to whisk him off to a waiting jet at the nearby airport.

Is he mad or frustrated? Is he about to lose his mind and fire everyone in sight, and quite a few who aren't? Is he plotting the complete overthrow of the front office and coaching staff or does he have a more surgical renovation in mind?

I'd like to tell you that Kroenke unburdened his mind like he was on a therapist's couch. But that's not Kroenke's style.

"As you know we don't discuss or make these kinds of decisions during the season," is all he was willing to say at this point.

But understand this. The man is not taking all this losing lightly. You could see it in his expressions as he moved around the locker room. People who know him well say he is extremely frustrated by what has transpired in his second season as majority owner and at the proper time — which is not in the middle of the season — he will decide what needs to be done. They say he is paying very close attention but feels no overwhelming need to prove that he is some boisterous ownership tough guy who needs to stand in front of microphones and TV cameras calling subordinates on the carpet.

Just because he's not going all George Steinbrenner on us doesn't mean he's playing the role of indifferent absentee owner.

In his typical "Silent Stanley" style, he prefers the low-key approach. The people who know him best say he has been gathering every snippet of information for the past two seasons — probably longer than that, really, since he's been around this franchise since 1995 — and when the season is over, he will be able to intelligently evaluate who, what, when, where and how things didn't work.

Of equal importance, his fact finding must also sort out who and what is working.

I've told you this before and I will continue to maintain this: Kroenke will not automatically utilize the scorched earth approach when all is said and done. People who he believes are part of the solution could survive regardless of popular opinion, and those who he believes are part of the problem will be gone.

There will be evaluations about the current operating structure of the football organization. There will be appraisals about how decisions are made, who makes them, when they make them, and if they should be making them.

There will be accountability in every aspect of the operation of this organization, and in the end, changes will be made.

But do not be surprised or disappointed if he does not follow the whims of popular opinion.

Quite frankly, draw comfort from that.

 

[Faceplant]

One of Burwell's better articles for sure. Thanks X.....

 

[steferfootball]

One of Burwell's better articles for sure. Thanks X.....

Yep. This make me feel a little better.

 

[bluecoconuts]

I would put money he's talked to franchise players, Jackson, Bradford, Long, Lauranitis, etc about how they feel about the team, coaches, etc. I'd hope they're honest in both praises and criticism, and what they feel they need to get the job done. Maybe that's letting Josh McDaniels have more power over the offense or new coaches for different positions, or whatever they feel is needed. Obviously they wouldn't be the final say, but if the players are honest about the evaluations, then it's much easier to focus in on what the issue is and how to fix it.

I think that's what hes doing too. But it's pure speculation at this point.

 

[ljramsfan]

One of Burwell's better articles for sure. Thanks X.....

I agree. Over on the STL today site, he was getting bashed in the comments section. I mean, ppl get on Burwell just to get on him. I thought this article had real credibility. You got something from Stan

 

[Stranger]

This was an article that "could" have been ghost written by Kroenke's staff. Without any overt statements or request, Burwell has published a piece Kronke wanted to get out in order to signal to the fanbase what's to come, and to warm them up to the approach that will be taken. In turn, Burwell will most likely be rewarded with favored access in the future.

I'm glad that this is the case, I'm glad Kroenke is signalling his moves and I'm happy to see that we're going to witness a methodical and calm evaluation process. But, just be sure that Burwell did not write this piece without a lot of "inside help", which is, again, probably a good thing.

 

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This was an article that "could" have been ghost written by Kroenke's staff. Without any overt statements or request, Burwell has published a piece Kronke wanted to get out in order to signal to the fanbase what's to come, and to warm them up to the approach that will be taken. In turn, Burwell will most likely be rewarded with favored access in the future.

I'm glad that this is the case, I'm glad Kroenke is signalling his moves and I'm happy to see that we're going to witness a methodical and calm evaluation process. But, just be sure that Burwell did not write this piece without a lot of "inside help", which is, again, probably a good thing.

You sir, are the leader in conspiracy thinking. And that is in no way an insult. I do appreciate the perspective you bring to this board. Doesn't mean I agree, but it's certainly interesting to read and even contemplate.

 

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Bernie's reaction to Burwell's article. . . .

* So let me see if I understand this correctly: Rams owner Stan Kroenke shows up for the game in San Francisco, visits the locker room after the game, shakes a few hands, says hello to a couple of reporters ... and now we're supposed to make him St. Louis Man of the Year? How about we nominate him for a Nobel Prize? Really, it's come to this? Praising the owner because he appears at his team's game? Moreover, Kroenke's visits to the locker room aren't unusual. I don't see what the big deal is. Maybe I missed something. I guess you had to be there.

* Kroenke in time will have every opportunity to show that he's a good owner for the St. Louis Rams. (Emphasis on St. Louis.) Really, I'm rooting for him. We've known Stan for nearly 20 years and respect the success he's had in life. He is a gentleman. And I don't really care if he chooses to stay silent (most of the time) rather than spout off about the Rams, though I'm assuming many of his football customers would like to hear from him more than they do. But style debate aside, it really comes down to this: does Kroenke have what it takes to fix the Rams and build a winner? We hope so. But again, there is simply no way to come up with an answer right now. Kroenke didn't take over as the majority owner and franchise leader until the summer of 2010. But he'll have to excuse me for declining to organize a parade in his honor simply because he made an appearance in San Francisco.

* Along the same lines, what are we supposed to do when we hear Rams' people and pundits talking about how hard the Rams are playing for head coach Steve Spagnuolo in a lost-cause season? Don't get me wrong; I respect the fact that this 2-10 team works hard for the coach. It's a positive reflection on Spagnuolo. But what are we supposed to do with that? This isn't the JFL. This is the NFL. This is a bottom-line business. You win or you don't.

* Kroenke could always choose to retain Spagnuolo based on this -- that the team hasn't quit on the head coach, long after hope left the building in 2011. If Kroenke decides to retain Spagnuolo that will be the primary reason.

* The Rams desperately need to add some speed to their offense for 2012.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/bernie-bytes-rams-offense-doa/article_0fc7bdbc-1f57-11e1-9ea7-001a4bcf6878.html#ixzz1fh9HFKkz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/ ... z1fh9HFKkz</a>

 

[bluecoconuts]

Sounds like someone is jealous.

 

[superfan24]

Sounds like someone is jealous.

lol agreed.
Stan understands and gets it.

 

[Warner4Prez]

* The Rams desperately need to add some speed to their offense for 2012.

Cheese and rice! I think Bernie needs to start sending me some of his big paychecks, because I've been saying this same damn thing for the past three years. He's really on the verge of some cutting edge insight.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

i think doughboy misses these days

jealous indeed.

.

 

[Stranger]

This was an article that "could" have been ghost written by Kroenke's staff. Without any overt statements or request, Burwell has published a piece Kronke wanted to get out in order to signal to the fanbase what's to come, and to warm them up to the approach that will be taken. In turn, Burwell will most likely be rewarded with favored access in the future.

I'm glad that this is the case, I'm glad Kroenke is signalling his moves and I'm happy to see that we're going to witness a methodical and calm evaluation process. But, just be sure that Burwell did not write this piece without a lot of "inside help", which is, again, probably a good thing.

You sir, are the leader in conspiracy thinking. And that is in no way an insult. I do appreciate the perspective you bring to this board. Doesn't mean I agree, but it's certainly interesting to read and even contemplate.

Guess I've been around too many journalists in my day, not necessarily sports writers, and my experience has shown me that these low paid writers don't ever rock the boat or go out on a limb unless a strong wink & nudge, at a minimum, have been given. It's much more important to them that they get invited to the next press event with free food and drink than they try to write anything that might upset anyone with real power. Unfortunately, all the real journalists who wrote in the publics interest, were purged a long time ago.